FAA Refers 250 Disruptive Passenger Cases to FBI for Investigation

Despite a drop in incidents since the peak in 2021, a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate behavior is still in place. Since late 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has referred more than 250 cases of unruly passengers to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a potential criminal prosecution, with an additional 17 cases referred this year. The FAA’s zero-tolerance policy for addressing unruly passengers remains in effect even after the mask mandate on airplanes, which previously accounted for two-thirds of documented incidents, has ended.

To efficiently handle the most serious cases of unruly passengers, the FAA and the FBI established a partnership in 2021. The process involves the FAA sending reports to the FBI regularly, with the latter forwarding cases that warrant prosecution to its field offices for further investigation. With over 250 cases referred, the partnership has been active, and it appears that it will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

Despite a persistent problem of unacceptable behavior, there has been a significant decrease in unruly passenger incidents since the height of the pandemic in early 2021 when mask mandates were still in place. According to the FAA, incidents that require investigation have declined by more than 80% in the past two years.

The FAA takes strict measures to address any instances of passengers assaulting, threatening, intimidating, or interfering with airline crew members. Civil penalties of up to $37,000 per violation can be imposed on such passengers through legal enforcement action. Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen, who is a former commercial airline pilot, has reasserted the agency’s commitment to a “zero tolerance” policy.

In 2022, the FAA launched inquiries into 831 cases of unruly passengers. Although this figure is lower than the 1,099 cases recorded in 2021, increase from the 146 cases reported in 2019.

The cessation of aggressive behavior occurs

The list of referrals for 2023 comprises incidents that occurred both this year and last year, which are still under investigation. One such event happened in March when a passenger on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston attempted to open the aircraft door and used a broken metal spoon as a weapon to assault a flight attendant.

January was a turbulent month with numerous aggressive passengers causing trouble. Among the incidents reported was a passenger who refused to stay seated, acted erratically, and claimed he could fly the aircraft. Passengers were arrested for assaulting others, harassing flight attendants, and inappropriately touching fellow travelers.

In December, a passenger was taken into custody for assaulting his spouse, while others were apprehended by the FBI for attacking, threatening, and intimidating flight attendants. One US traveler even attempted to strike a flight attendant and gain access to the flight deck.

The FBI is still investigating these cases and has recently launched a webpage called Crimes Aboard Aircraft, which provides valuable information about the types of crimes it investigates and how travelers can report them. FBI Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the Criminal Investigative Division expressed his support for the FAA’s efforts to safeguard passengers.

In February, a passenger on an American Airlines flight traveling from Florida to Washington DC caused a disturbance and attempted to enter the cockpit, resulting in the flight diverting to North Carolina. Upon arrival at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, officers from the FBI Charlotte Field Office were waiting to apprehend the unruly individual. The FAA and FBI’s goal is to ensure that such incidents become infrequent once more.

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